Hibiscus plant named ‘14-0704-02’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Hibiscus  plant having ruby-red colored flowers and a compact growth habit.

Botanical classification: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.

Varietal denomination: ‘14-0704-02’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct Hibiscus plant having the varietal name ‘14-0704-02’. The new variety is the result of a planned breeding program with the purposes of developing tropical Hibiscus rosa-sinensis plants with unique flower colors and a compact growth habit. ‘14-0704-02’ is the result of a cross conducted in Vernon, Tex. between two unnamed and unpatented Hibiscus rosa-sinensis varieties. The new variety was selected in June of 2015 in Vernon, Tex. and the first asexual reproduction of the new variety was conducted by cuttings in April of 2016 in Vernon, Tex. ‘14-0704-02’ has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations. The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

‘14-0704-02’ is similar to its female parent in having a compact growth habit. However, the female parent of ‘14-0704-02’ has flat, dual-colored flowers that are pinkish-red in the center with yellow petal edges, while ‘14-0704-02’ has slightly layered petals and ruby-red colored flowers. Further, the female parent has an orange colored stigma and the stigma of ‘14-0704-02’ is ruby-red in color. ‘14-0704-02’ is similar to its male parent in flower shape and having a compact growth habit. However, the male parent has a bright red flower color, while ‘14-0704-02’ has a ruby-red flower color.

When ‘14-0704-02’ is compared to Hibiscus rosa-sinensis variety “Rio Clara” ‘Ruby Red’ (unpatented), both varieties have a deep red flower color, similar flower shape, and glossy leaves. However, ‘14-0704-02’ has a less compact growth habit than “Rio Clara” ‘Ruby Red’.

The following traits distinguish ‘14-0704-02’ as a new and distinct cultivar from other Hibiscus varieties known to the breeder:

-   -   1. Ruby-red flower color;     -   2. Compact growth habit;     -   3. Increased resistance to white fly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum)         and bacterial leaf spot (Pseudomonas cichorii); and     -   4. Dark green colored and glossy leaves.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic images illustrate the new variety at approximately one year of age, with the colors being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 illustrates a close-up view of a flower of the new variety; and

FIG. 2 illustrates an entire plant of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new variety at one year of age. The plants were primarily grown in 2 gallon containers in cool season heated greenhouses with a minimum temperature of approximately 13° C. and about 30% light shade in the summer months. The color readings and measurements were taken in Grand Saline, Tex. indoors under fluorescent lights with natural light from a window nearby. Color references are primarily to The 1995 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, 3^(nd) Edition, except where general color terms are used.

PLANT

-   Time to initiate roots: About 12 days at an average of 24° C. -   Time to develop roots: About 50 days at an average of 21-24° C. -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant from a rooted cutting:     About 12-16 weeks in a 1 gallon/20.0 cm diameter container. -   Specific disease/pest resistance: Resistance to whitefly     (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and bacterial leaf spot (Pseudomonas     cichorii). -   Heat/cold tolerance: Thrives above 13° C., but expires at     temperatures of 0° C. and below. -   Drought tolerance: Moderate to none. -   Plant:     -   -   Type.—Tropical, ornamental shrub.         -   Habit.—Compact; upright; well-branched.         -   Height.—50.8 cm from the top of the container to the top of             the plant.         -   Spread.—58.4 cm.         -   Vigor.—High.         -   Rooting.—Coarse and well-branched. -   Stem:     -   -   Number per plant.—8.         -   Length.—37.5-40.0 cm.         -   Width.—0.6-1.3 cm.         -   Texture.—Immature: Slightly coarse, but smooth. Mature: Very             coarse with a heavy bark-like texture.         -   Strength.—Moderately firm.         -   Branch arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Branch number.—27.         -   Internode length.—2.5-4.3 cm.         -   Color.—Immature: 144B. Mature: 200D.         -   Stipules.—Number per node: 2. Shape: Spinose. Length:             9.0 mm. Width: 1.0 mm. Surface texture: Smooth. Apex: Acute.             Base: Linear. Margin: Entire. Color: 143C. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Size of leaf.—Length: 9.8 cm. Width: 6.8 cm.         -   Shape of leaf (generally).—Obovate.         -   Shape of apex.—Acute.         -   Shape of base.—Cordate.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Slick and waxy with a slight texture             from venation. Lower surface: Relatively smooth with a             heavier vein texture.         -   Margin type.—Slightly serrated.         -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: 144A. Lower surface:             143A. Mature leaves: Upper surface: 137B. Lower surface:             146A.         -   Veins.—Venation type: Palmate. Color: Upper surface: 137A.             Lower surface: 138A.         -   Petiole.—Length: 3.2 cm. Diameter: 3.0 mm. Texture: Smooth.             Color: 143A.

FLOWERS

-   Buds (described approximately 2 days from opening):     -   -   Shape.—Oval.         -   Diameter.—1.6 cm.         -   Length.—4.1 cm.         -   Color.—178B. -   Natural flowering season: Year round in Grand Saline, Tex. -   Flower type and habit: Single with slightly overlapping petals. -   Fragrance: None. -   Flowers:     -   -   Number per stem.—1.         -   Overall depth.—1.3 cm.         -   Overall diameter.—12.1 cm.         -   Shape.—Rotate.         -   Lastingness.—1 day on the plant.         -   Petals.—Number: 5. Arrangement: Simple. Length: 7.6 cm.             Width: 5.7 cm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse Base: Acute             Margin: Entire. Texture/appearance: Upper surface: Very             smooth and velvety. Lower surface: Smooth with venation             texture. Color: Upper surface: 46B with a 187B eye. Lower             surface: 45A. Fully opened: Upper surface: 51B. Lower             surface: 181D.         -   Calyx.—Form: Fused. Overall length: 3.0 cm. Overall             diameter: 1.6 cm. Sepals/calyx lobes: Number: 5. Shape:             Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire. Texture: Slightly             rough. Color: Outer surface: 144A. Inner surface: 146D. -   Epicalyx:     -   -   Length.—12.0 mm.         -   Width.—3.0 mm.         -   Texture.—Very smooth inside and more textured outside.         -   Color.—143B.         -   Sepal-like bracts.—Not present.         -   Bracts.—Not present.         -   Peduncle.—Length: 11.0 mm. Diameter: 3.0 mm. Strength: Firm,             with some flexibility. Angle: Acute. Texture: Slightly             textured. Color: 144A. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Gynoecium.—Pistils: Number: 1. Length: 8.3 cm. Stigma:             Number: 5. Shape: Round. Length: 7.0 mm. Diameter: 6.0 mm.             Color: 53A. Style: Length: 7.3 cm. Width: 4.0 mm. Color:             53B. Ovary: Shape: Ovate. Length: 12.0 mm. Width: 8.0 mm.             Color: 4D.         -   Androecium.—Stamens: Number: 84. Position: Below the stigma             on the style. Anther: Shape: U-shaped. Diameter: 1.0 mm.             Color: 14A. Filament: Length: 6.0 mm. Width: 1.0 mm. Color:             64A. Pollen: Color: 17B. Amount (generally): Abundant.

SEEDS

-   Seeds: None produced. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Hibiscus plant named ‘14-0704-02’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 